Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access

Abstract

Plastic Pollution in Pakistan: Environmental and Health Implications

Muhammad Mukheed* and Alisha Khan

Plastic pollution is one of the prime and alarming issues in developing countries that have vast environmental and human health impacts which need to be addressed as a priority. Unfortunately, limited work has been done on the topic, especially on air and water pollution due to plastics in Pakistan. Informal solid waste management is being done by municipalities, which is not adequate, and the problem will increase with the upsurge in population and industrialization. There is a need to address the knowledge gap and improvements in the existing conditions to manage the issue of plastic pollution separately. In this chapter, causes; impacts of plastic pollution both on human and environmental health, plastic industries, and legislative context; and best practices to manage plastic pollution along with some important recommendations are discussed. It is expected the data presented may help the managers, environmental scientists, and policymakers to manage the problem of plastic pollution. Most plastic is Made from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas, which release toxic emissions when extracted from the earth. Plastic contribution has penetrated into all branches of human activity: everyday utensils to decorations, packing industry, construction and most importantly medical industry. Excessive use of plastics everywhere, on one hand has brought easy comforts while on the other hand its safe disposal has become a major issue that is leading to dangerous levels of environmental pollution. Soil, land, air and marine pollution has worsened due to unlimited use of plastic items. Pakistan is also facing health and other hazards being created due to extensive and widespread use of plastics in the country. Irrigations system of Pakistan is one of the largest gravity flow irrigations systems in the world comprising of dams, barrages, head-works, secondary and tertiary canals and water courses, bridges, syphons and other hydraulic structures. Plastic pollution starts from the catchment areas in the mountain ranges due to tourism, local population, agricultural, industrial and other activities which cause transportation of disposed plastic bags/ bottles etc. into streams/rivers due to wind or water flow actions. In this paper a review of issues/problems caused by plastic pollution to our irrigation system has been outlined with some remedial steps.

Published Date: 2020-09-07; Received Date: 2020-07-27